"D" the Ranter is Colorado's #1 Multi-sport MLBlogger. The Rant is written from a fan's perspective and you can count on "D" to tell you exactly how it is. Tried and Tested…There's a reason the Rant kicks ass in Colorado.

This Manny’s cool, the other one’s a fool

5/10/09 Marlins vs Rockies Game 3

Today was a special day.Just when I was questioning where the antics of one Manny (and numerous others) were taking my sport of baseball, I was able to witness another Manny doing something so special that I’m convinced baseball will be around for a long time.

That’s powerful stuff from a Ranter

(Above photo taken by Robert Harmon)

We waited in line for the chain to drop so we get a good spot and pick which player we wanted to get an autograph from. If you remember my entries from last season there was always an Usher who wrote the names of who would be signing that day on his hand.

Well he hasn’t written them on his hand in a while but he did write them on this piece of paper he was holding. This Usher’s name is Dan and he’s a really nice guy. Off to the right in the distance I could see this. Which explains why I was standing in line for autographs instead of snaggin baseballs.

This is one seriously empty pavilion. It actually looks kind of peaceful. The three of us had a plan, I was going to get Jeff Baker’s autograph, Hunter wanted Manny Corpas’s autograph and Krista was going to take pictures of both of us.

They were ready.When the gate dropped Hunter and I took off and lost my wife in about 15 seconds.

I had no idea where she was the whole time I was standing in line waiting for Jeff Baker to sign. Here we are in the mix

I thought to myself, did she twist an ankle, should I go look for her? I decided a twisted ankle would heal but how many times do you get a chance to get Jeff Baker’s autograph?

Just then Franklin Morales tossed his warm-up ball up to Hunter.

Here’s Manny Corpas signing Hunter’s baseball.

Here is Jeff Baker signing mine.When I finished I watched Manny sign Hunter’s ball and we started to head up the steps .

With the help of a few Ushers relaying the message, Manny was calling for Hunter to come back down.

We worked our way back down the stairs and Manny told Hunter to meet him over by the dugout after he was finished signing autographs.

When a player tells you to meet him over by the dugout that’s usually a good thing.

We headed over to the dugout without delay and I kept trying to call my wife who wasn’t answering her phone. That added some much needed pressure to the whole drama. Hunter and I were positioned and staying put.

So think about this, I’m a picture guy right? I’m about to see Manny do something really cool for Hunter (or so I think at this point), and my wife has the camera and she isn’t answering her phone.

Normally I’m as cool as a cucumber but at this moment I was on the edge of seriously wigging. There was no way I was not going to get video of this.

Finally my phone rings, It’s Krista and I freak on her “Where are you, are you ok? You’re ok, good get down to the dugout right now…Hurry” She replies…”Look up” I looked up the stairs and there she was smiling.

Ok heart rate slowly going back to normal now, breathe Don…All is good. Dammit you’d think I was the guy waiting to meet Manny at the dugout. Some of us have to live vicariously through our children :)

While we were waiting for Manny, Krista took a picture of my Jeff Baker autographed baseball

Shortly thereafter Manny showed up and I shot this video.

I just want to to say that it was an accident that Hunter got hit with the ball. When Manny tossed the ball into the pavilion Hunter saw it coming and misjudged it and that’s why it hit him in the chest.

Manny didn’t have to do what he did. He owed Hunter nothing.

In the video Hunter tells Manny, “Next time I’ll catch it”. The other funny thing is Manny realizes he can’t sign a black glove with a black sharpie and he goes out of his way to find a silver sharpie. That was classy.

Thank you again Manny, that whole experience was trippindicular.

We had great seats today(Thank you Dan). Krista sat behind us a few rows at her request and took some pictures.

My famous Brat with a view

Hunter earned his Hagg’n point for a Brat too.

Barb the Usher. I’ve mentioned Barb on the Rant before. She’s Good People !

Captain Earthman as Captain Earthman The view to my right The view to my leftIt was a little crowded to the right of me, but other than Hunter it was primo snaggin territory to the left of me. Wouldn’t you know it, nothing was hit even close to our area.

Oh well the lack of a home run ball didn’t put a damper on this day in the least.

Rockies take game 3 over the Marlins 3-2

I wanted to thank this fine group employees for the extra time they took to make our food. There were exactly two people in front of us and we had to wait ten minutes to get out eats.

I call this picture “A Brat takes an inning, I hope we’re still winning“

Yeah ten minutes. No it wasn’t a special order, it was three freggin Brats,…Plain.

I usually don’t mess with food service but an effort like that deserves some recognition so here ya go fellas. Congrats on a Brat cooked with extra extra love?

PS. It’s all good but save the party for after work food service fellas. I have a feeling if I had wanted fries with that Brat it would have been another inning :)

RPR’s Hagg’n points for this game

1 point- Attending the game.

2 points- Jeff Baker’s autograph.

1 point- Staying until the end of the game.

2 points- For two pictures with Ushers.

1 point- Eating a foot long Brat at the game.

1/2 point- For snagging two extra season tickets after the game.

Total Points = 7.5

Hunter’s Hagg’n points

1 point- For showing up.

4 points- For Manny Corpas’s autograph twice.

10 points- For a piece of game used equipment (Manny’s glove).

2 points- Tossed up baseball from Franklin Morales.

1 point- Eating a foot long Brat.

1 point- Staying until the end of the game.

Total Points = 19

Our next game is Tuesday night.

Yes I do refer to myself in the third person at times in the blog, but I figure I own all of my persons and I should be able to use them at will.

To one person in particular only: You can copy my format but you’re still my doormat…D

13 Comments

Hey D,
Oooooooooooh! I can’t wait to hear what happened! It’s nice to know that our players are paying attention. It was so nice to win today.
OMG! I just played the video! THAT IS SO COOL! Manny you are the absolute best! I can’t believe he did that! Can this season get any better for you guys?! Wow! Wow! Wow!

DONNIE-That glove is on Hunter’s shelf, he’ll be buzzing for a few days :)
R-LUV-It was nice to see that win. Manny’s top notch in my book. This season has been really fun so far.
LUVMYROX-Thanks, I did mention to Manny to not let this incident stop him from tossing baseballs into the pavilion.
I’ll finish this entry and the previous one after work Monday…D

There ya go!
Awesome score by Hunter. I guess getting great collectibles runs in the family now.
I hope he uses that glove for his BP needs for a few weeks before retiring it to his collection.
That is so cool that Manny did that for him.
Guess it goes to prove that if you treat a player with respect and like your neighbor, good things can happen.
Major Kudos and high-fives for Hunter.

Oh man, now I know the Usher’s name is Dan. I was totally going to guess Jim. Oh well. Don… what a totally awesome gift that Manny gave Hunter!! I wanted to go and see if he was okay after I saw him get hit, but I figured that’d be totally weird since he doesn’t know me at all. I’m glad he’s okay, but HOW AMAZING!!! What a true gift. I’ll make a note that to get Atkins glove, I need to get hit in the collar bone.
Emilyhttp://deconstructingthoughts.mlblogs.com/

Ohmigod, that is the sweetest thing ever. I can’t believe he did that, but wow, is it ever nice to see some class from a player once in a while. Good job, Manny, and congrats, Hunter. That’s pretty cool!
Kylie — http://kylie.mlblogs.com

It is true that baseball is here to stay and many of us will not see the end of it. When I get time I will form part of your group and visit pitches when teams are working out as we get autographs from our favorite players. How about that? – Jordan

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.